but yes, the white house would, "absolutely go over the fiscal cliff" if the republicans would not raise tax rates. now republicans are pointing back to july 2011. this statement by president obama. >> yes, said give us $1.# trillion in additional revenues that could be accomplished without hiking tax rates, but could simply be accomplished by eliminating loopholes. eliminating deductions. and engaging in a tax reform process that could lowered rates generally while broadening the base. >> bret: the white house is saying it's out of context but not specifically how out of context. bring in the panel. steve hayes for "weekly standard." kirsten powers for daily beast. syndicated columnist, charles krauthammer. charles? >> look, i love when the president says we need conceptual break through. meaning the republicans have to accept a hike in rates. what he means is a political surrender. because there is no economic reason why you cannot raise the money he wants raised. by doing it through eliminating deductions, inclusions and credit. number one as we saw he, himself, said so. a year-and-a-